Jaguars Review: 5 key plays from a loss to San Francisco

Tuesday

Five key plays from the Jaguars’ 44-33 loss to San Francisco on Sunday:

1. INT FOR TD

Situation: Trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, the Jaguars had second-and-18 from their 44-yard line.

Don’t blame the Jaguars’ pass protection for the first of quarterback Blake Bortles’ three interceptions against the 49ers. The Jaguars lined up with two receivers left, one right and a tight end on the outside hip of right tackle Jermey Parnell. T.J. Yeldon was to the left of Bortles in the shotgun. The 49ers blitzed inside linebacker Reuben Foster from Bortles’ left, but Yeldon stymied him. Parnell also cleared defensive end Cassius Marsh out of the play, giving Bortles a clean pocket. The problem: He read the defense differently than receiver Keelan Cole. As Cole sat down his crossing route in a soft zone near the 47-yard line, Bortles released a pass that intended to lead him toward the sideline. Instead, it tipped off Cole’s hand and was returned for a touchdown by San Francisco cornerback Dontae Johnson.

2. MATCHUP PROBLEM

Situation: Leading 16-9 in the second quarter, San Francisco had first-and-10 from its 25.

Few teams have fullbacks as versatile as the 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk, but this is the sort of matchup that can give the Jaguars’ defense trouble. The 49ers lined up with one receiver left, one right, a tight end on the left and Juszczyk in front of running back Matt Breida in the backfield. The Jaguars were in their base defense, which utilizes Paul Posluszny as the middle linebacker. San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ran a play-action fake to the left, which caused the Jaguars’ linebackers to creep toward the line of scrimmage. As Garoppolo was finishing the fake, Juszczyk zoomed past Posluszny — who struggles in coverage — on what functioned as a wheel route down the left sideline for an easy throw and catch and gain of 44 yards. The Jaguars should be aware of opposing offenses stealing those sort of looks, which are especially troubling for their base defense.

3. PRO BOWL PLAY

Situation: Leading 16-9 in the second quarter, San Francisco had third-and-goal from the 7.

Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue wasn’t selected to the Pro Bowl, but it’s a matter of when, not if, he will be in the future because of plays like this. Ngakoue entered the game with a league-high six forced fumbles and had the same sort of impact here. The 49ers lined up with one receiver left, three right and a running back to the left of Garoppolo in the shotgun. The Jaguars rushed four, and right guard Brandon Fusco moved inside to double defensive tackle Malik Jackson. That left Ngakoue 1-on-1 with right tackle Zane Beadles, an obvious mismatch. Ngakoue won initially when he used his left arm to chop Beadles’ right, which allowed Ngakoue space to bend around the edge and hit Garoppolo as he was unloading his throw. The result was a fluttering pass that was intercepted by strong safety Barry Church in the end zone.

4. 49ERS ANSWER

Situation: Trailing 19-16 in the third quarter, San Francisco had third-and-3 from the Jaguars’ 9.

The 49ers lined up with two receivers right, one left and a running back to the left of Garoppolo in the backfield. Tight end George Kittle was standing up just off the outside hip of the right tackle. Kittle sat down a simple curl route just past the first-down marker between linebacker Telvin Smith and cornerback Aaron Colvin and in front of linebacker Myles Jack. Smith was the closest to the pass but appeared to be caught flat-footed, and Garoppolo threaded a pass to Kittle, who stumbled for a couple of yards and got into the end zone. Several times in the game, Smith was a second late when trying to make a play on a throw by Garoppolo.

5. BIG PLAY SEALS IT

Situation: Leading 37-33 with 1:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, San Francisco had third-and-8 from the Jaguars’ 30.

A stop likely would have given the Jaguars’ offense an opportunity to tie (or win) the game, but the 49ers drew up an excellent play. San Francisco initially lined up with one tight end on the right side of the offensive line, three receivers left and Breida in the backfield. Before the snap, 49ers receiver Marquise Goodwin came in motion to simulate a jet sweep. Really, it took Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a sure tackler, off the left side of the field. The left side was the wide side of the field, and the 49ers took advantage. As Goodwin sped by, Garoppolo flipped a quick pitch to the left for Breida. Slot receiver Trent Taylor made a nice seal block on Ngakoue as left tackle Joe Staley swung outside, made a critical block on Jack, and Breida slid through some traffic for a 30-yard score.

Phillip Heilman: (904) 359-4063

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